HOUSTON – A diamond may be forever, but Wexler Jewelry was considered a solid contender.
The family-owned jewelry store placed its last sparkly jewels on outstretched hands and wound its final watch on New Year's Eve.
Having outlasted 17 U.S. Presidents, Wexler’s Jewelry became a multi-generational fixture for Houstonian families, who gathered over the weekend to say goodbye to store president Dan Wexler and his wife Sue.
Dan has been working in his family’s business since he was 16, and while well-wishers gathered to say goodbye, he continued to labor over a last-minute watch repair.
He’s seen friends and customers get teary-eyed this week, but so far, he’s managed to hold off.
“I’ve had a lot of people come in, and some are in tears,” Wexler said. “I haven’t had any tears yet, but I’ve been on the verge.”
Sue Wexler sees one big upside to the store’s closing -- weekends with Dan.
“Dan and I have never had a weekend,” Sue Wexler said. “Wexler Jewelry has been open and serving customers for six days a week, every week of the year. So, to have two days in a row of him being home will be enjoyable.”
While the store closed for good New Year's Eve, Sue Wexler told KPRC 2 that love was in the air for many last-minute shoppers.
“We had a lady come in this morning who was getting remarried to her husband," Sue Wexler said.
According to Sue, that woman purchased a beautiful ruby piece with diamonds.